Waterford Chamber of Commerce has won the Best International Project at the Chambers Ireland Awards 2025, in recognition of its work in expanding trade and business links with Märkischer Kreis in Germany.

The award-winning initiative is a collaborative project between Waterford Chamber, Waterford City & County Council, and the Waterford Local Enterprise Office (LEO).

It stems from the formal twinning of Waterford and Märkischer Kreis, which was established to foster deeper cultural, educational, and economic connections between the two regions.

The project focuses on building sustainable international partnerships, facilitating trade opportunities, and fostering innovation between businesses in both areas.

Since the twinning, the partners have led multiple trade delegations, hosted knowledge-sharing events, and created direct pathways for collaboration in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing, tourism, green technologies, and education.

The award was presented at the Chambers Ireland Annual Awards ceremony in Kildare, where chambers from across the country were recognised for excellence in areas such as sustainability, community engagement, innovation, and international impact, with Cork Chamber being announced as Chamber of the Year.

Gerald Hurley, CEO of Waterford Chamber, welcomed the recognition. “This award is a tremendous honour and a reflection of the strong partnership between ourselves, Waterford City & County Council, and Waterford LEO. Through the formal twinning with Märkischer Kreis, we’ve opened up new and exciting opportunities for Waterford businesses on an international scale. It’s a proud moment for Waterford to be acknowledged as a city that’s thinking globally and acting collaboratively.”

The initiative aligns with Waterford’s strategic economic development goals and supports the ambitions of Project Ireland 2040 by helping local enterprises access new markets and build long-term international relationships.

Kevin Doolin, Waterford Chamber President, praised the project: “The Best International Project award celebrates impactful partnerships that elevate Ireland’s global business presence. Waterford Chamber’s work with its German counterpart, in partnership with the local authority and LEO, is a model of how local collaboration can have global reach and results.”

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